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Legendary Women of World History #1
Boudicca: Britain's Queen of the Iceni
Why is The Morrigan's raven crying? Only Britons with hearts for true liberty know!
In 43 CE Roman conquest of Britannia seems all but certain - until a chance meeting between King Prasutagus of the Iceni and a runaway slave of royal decent from the Aedui tribe in Gaul changes the fate of the British islands forever.
Rise up for liberty with the true story of Boudicca: Britain's Queen of the Iceni and discover one of the most inspiring stories in history!
Based on the accounts of Roman historian Tacitus and supplemented with archaeology presented by the BBC.
For children and teens. Narrated by Richard Mann.
©2014 Laurel A. Rockefeller (P)2014 Laurel A. Rockefeller
In 43 CE Roman conquest of Britannia seems all but certain - until a chance meeting between King Prasutagus of the Iceni and a runaway slave of royal decent from the Aedui tribe in Gaul changes the fate of the British islands forever.
Rise up for liberty with the true story of Boudicca: Britain's Queen of the Iceni and discover one of the most inspiring stories in history!
Based on the accounts of Roman historian Tacitus and supplemented with archaeology presented by the BBC.
For children and teens. Narrated by Richard Mann.
©2014 Laurel A. Rockefeller (P)2014 Laurel A. Rockefeller
Audible Audio
First published March 20, 2014
13 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Laurel A. Rockefeller
134 books225 followersBorn, raised, and educated in Lincoln, Nebraska USA Laurel A. Rockefeller’s passion for animals comes through in everything she writes. First self-published in 2012 as social science fiction author (the Peers of Beinan series), Laurel has expanded her work into the animal care/guide, history, historical fiction, and biography genres.
Find Laurel’s books in digital, paperback, and hardcover in your choice of up to ten languages, including Welsh, Chinese, and Dutch. Audio editions are published in all four available languages for audible: English, French, Spanish, and German.
Besides advocating for animals and related environmental causes, Laurel A. Rockefeller is a passionate educator dedicated to improving history literacy worldwide, especially as it relates to women’s accomplishments. In her spare time, Laurel enjoys spending time with her cockatiels, traveling to historic places, and watching classic motion pictures and classic television series.
Find Laurel’s books in digital, paperback, and hardcover in your choice of up to ten languages, including Welsh, Chinese, and Dutch. Audio editions are published in all four available languages for audible: English, French, Spanish, and German.
Besides advocating for animals and related environmental causes, Laurel A. Rockefeller is a passionate educator dedicated to improving history literacy worldwide, especially as it relates to women’s accomplishments. In her spare time, Laurel enjoys spending time with her cockatiels, traveling to historic places, and watching classic motion pictures and classic television series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 13, 2014
This is such a great story. So full of life, inspiration, will, and courage. Honestly, I may have never come across it on my own. It is truly motivational. A true heroic story. I love this story, mainly because it shows that women are just as strong if not stronger than a man. This story allows the eyes of all to be opened to see that not only did men have a huge impact in history, but so did women. Plus, the ending of the book is truly beautiful!
The Prologue reminds me a lot of all of the things I learned about the Romans in my Humanities class. Romans were so greedy and out to conquer anything they could. They were ready to start a war with anyone for land. This book starts off with the fact that the Dobunni people stood still to stay alive, especially since they didn’t like the act of war.
I love that this is a true story and it’s not just told by a narrator, it’s told by actual people but in story form. It blows my mind with all the facts that happened and what these people did to try to protect their people. It blows my mind more so on who decided to enslave their own people. True royalty would never sell out their people to protect theirselves or create a better life for just theirself. When someone with that much authority betrays their own people, they should be forced to pay a very high price.
The fate of Boudicca and how she comes into luck is truly wonderful. Spotted by the King of Iceni and later becoming his queen. The story shows how sometimes relying on your gut to determine your future is exactly what one must do. Though, the King’s determined allies are Boudicca’s enemies, the Romans. The King wants peace and so does Boudicca, but they have different visions on how peace should be made. The King’s decision on trying to make the Roman’s an ally doesn’t go as he had planned. Inevitably, his decisions end up causing him to lose his life. The fate of Iceni rests on its people, who need to find a way to undo what the King had done before his death.
So much honor. So much strength. Queen Boudicca has so much heart. She’s willing to risk everything to save her people, herself, and the future of Iceni. I wish the people of today all had the kind of strength Boudicca had. She goes in fighting and refuses to leave until her death has come or she has become victorious.
What stinks is that this fight would have never happened if women were treated equally. If women didn’t get treated like their life had lesser value than that of a slave, Queen Boudicca wouldn’t have needed to fight the way she did. It could have went differently. Roman’s believed to be superior to everyone else. They believed that everyone needed to be ruled by them and fall slave to their ways, especially women. Women shouldn’t have authority or a life outside of catering to a man. The roman’s believed women were not fully human, only man. This story proves that this is not true at all. It should have never been considered in the first place.
If you’ve never read about Boudicca, now is your chance to see a true warrior. Learn about all that she went through, all that she faced, and how she handled it. If you already know the story of Boudicca, this book shines light and beauty on such a bad situation. It’s definitely worth the read, no matter how much you may or may not know about Boudicca.
The Prologue reminds me a lot of all of the things I learned about the Romans in my Humanities class. Romans were so greedy and out to conquer anything they could. They were ready to start a war with anyone for land. This book starts off with the fact that the Dobunni people stood still to stay alive, especially since they didn’t like the act of war.
I love that this is a true story and it’s not just told by a narrator, it’s told by actual people but in story form. It blows my mind with all the facts that happened and what these people did to try to protect their people. It blows my mind more so on who decided to enslave their own people. True royalty would never sell out their people to protect theirselves or create a better life for just theirself. When someone with that much authority betrays their own people, they should be forced to pay a very high price.
The fate of Boudicca and how she comes into luck is truly wonderful. Spotted by the King of Iceni and later becoming his queen. The story shows how sometimes relying on your gut to determine your future is exactly what one must do. Though, the King’s determined allies are Boudicca’s enemies, the Romans. The King wants peace and so does Boudicca, but they have different visions on how peace should be made. The King’s decision on trying to make the Roman’s an ally doesn’t go as he had planned. Inevitably, his decisions end up causing him to lose his life. The fate of Iceni rests on its people, who need to find a way to undo what the King had done before his death.
So much honor. So much strength. Queen Boudicca has so much heart. She’s willing to risk everything to save her people, herself, and the future of Iceni. I wish the people of today all had the kind of strength Boudicca had. She goes in fighting and refuses to leave until her death has come or she has become victorious.
What stinks is that this fight would have never happened if women were treated equally. If women didn’t get treated like their life had lesser value than that of a slave, Queen Boudicca wouldn’t have needed to fight the way she did. It could have went differently. Roman’s believed to be superior to everyone else. They believed that everyone needed to be ruled by them and fall slave to their ways, especially women. Women shouldn’t have authority or a life outside of catering to a man. The roman’s believed women were not fully human, only man. This story proves that this is not true at all. It should have never been considered in the first place.
If you’ve never read about Boudicca, now is your chance to see a true warrior. Learn about all that she went through, all that she faced, and how she handled it. If you already know the story of Boudicca, this book shines light and beauty on such a bad situation. It’s definitely worth the read, no matter how much you may or may not know about Boudicca.
June 3, 2017
This book was sent to me by the author and my full spoiler-free review can be found here https://youtu.be/drOOGMiG5i8
This is a historical fiction piece, and it tips more towards historical than fiction imo. Boudicca was the queen of a Celtic Iceni tribe. And she led a military uprising against occupying Roman forces are 60AD. She led 100,000 Iceni and Trinovantes on a spree of destruction, sacking several cities under Roman control. I really enjoyed learning about Boudicca. Early history if the British Isles is not a topic that was covered in my education, and I loved learning about it here.
This is the first book in a series by this author called the Legendary Women of History Series, and this is the second book I’ve read in it, and would definitely be interested in reading more! I will say, I could kind of tell that this was the first book. The character development here was a bit skeletal. In terms of being educational and fun, it was perfect. In terms of reading this as a piece of literature, I wanted more. I wanted to know the characters more as people. Although, it was very clear that Boudicca was a courageous woman and a true Queen who would never have betrayed her people in exchange for her own safety. I do think the world, the setting was quite well established, and the plot and the dialogue could have been built out quite a bit more. This book was quite short, and actually, I noticed the author is adapting another book in this series into a play, and I think that’s a fantastic idea. I think it would be so much fun if you were a teacher, to have your students read and kind of act out a short piece like this.
This is a historical fiction piece, and it tips more towards historical than fiction imo. Boudicca was the queen of a Celtic Iceni tribe. And she led a military uprising against occupying Roman forces are 60AD. She led 100,000 Iceni and Trinovantes on a spree of destruction, sacking several cities under Roman control. I really enjoyed learning about Boudicca. Early history if the British Isles is not a topic that was covered in my education, and I loved learning about it here.
This is the first book in a series by this author called the Legendary Women of History Series, and this is the second book I’ve read in it, and would definitely be interested in reading more! I will say, I could kind of tell that this was the first book. The character development here was a bit skeletal. In terms of being educational and fun, it was perfect. In terms of reading this as a piece of literature, I wanted more. I wanted to know the characters more as people. Although, it was very clear that Boudicca was a courageous woman and a true Queen who would never have betrayed her people in exchange for her own safety. I do think the world, the setting was quite well established, and the plot and the dialogue could have been built out quite a bit more. This book was quite short, and actually, I noticed the author is adapting another book in this series into a play, and I think that’s a fantastic idea. I think it would be so much fun if you were a teacher, to have your students read and kind of act out a short piece like this.
April 24, 2014
This book was short yet involved me very much in a stunning, moving way in a historical journey that tells of mans sad bent towards destruction. I did find much about the characters that drew me in to the story and was immersed in the aspect of women's lives at the time. This book offers a look into a particular point of our past and portrays the heroine as one of strength and valor. Clearly we have the ability to demonstrate our nobility, or at least read about it!
I enjoyed this book and consider it a great read for the genre and any look into women's history.
I enjoyed this book and consider it a great read for the genre and any look into women's history.
April 16, 2019
Though I liked it, not what I expected
It is an interesting and entertaining read, for sure. However, I expected it to be an epic tale instead of a short story. Loving historical fiction, I thought this would be more involved.
The story was good. I especially liked the ending. It's obvious the author did their research. I just wanted more.
A great flash read for history buffs!
It is an interesting and entertaining read, for sure. However, I expected it to be an epic tale instead of a short story. Loving historical fiction, I thought this would be more involved.
The story was good. I especially liked the ending. It's obvious the author did their research. I just wanted more.
A great flash read for history buffs!
October 29, 2014
Boudicca in perspective
This short book on Boudicca, the Queen of the Iceni, is part of a series designed to encourage schoolchildren to read the histories of famous women. There is an extensive bibliography for further reading, which includes the source material for Boudicca as well as background for the tribes of Britain. Included are reference maps and a study guide to expend the child's understanding of the texts.
The difficulty of writing the story of such an iconic woman is the paucity of independent evidence for her life; even her origins and the circumstances of her death are uncertain. They say written history belongs to the victor, so we only have the story from the Roman side. The Celtic tribes of Briton left no written records. By the time the Saxon invaders were able to write their own history and that of the Britons before them, several hundred years later, Boudicca had been completely forgotten and fails to surface even in lore. It wasn't until the books of Tacitus were rediscovered during the Italian Renaissance, almost a millennium and a half after the event, that British scholars heard of this striking red-haired queen for the first time and began to write speculative stories about this heroic figure and scourge of the Roman occupying army. Even then, her name was often mistranslated. The nearest translation to her name is Victorious, so in time she became a symbol for the Victorians as a strong female and is now intrinsically woven into the fabric of British history and lore.
The Iceni were a peaceful but marginal people, who occupied the flat fertile plains of modern day Norfolk. Like the other Celts of Britain, they were invaders too, and had probably only occupied their land for six or seven generations before the Romans threatened their borders. Apparently they were a peaceful people who allied themselves with the Romans as soon at the Empire invaded these islands, rather than fight them. Rome usually allowed these vassal states autonomy until the present king died, following which the kingdom would be absorbed into the Empire. Roman women were considered second class citizens, no more than slaves, as they were through much of this island's history, under Romans, Anglo Saxons, Vikings and Normans alike, and were not allowed to own property. Therefore, when Boudicca's husband died, neither she nor her daughters would ever be allowed to inherit the crown under Roman law. Any resistance she put up was put down with immediate effect.
The abuse she received was paid back in kind a hundred-fold, as the Iceni inflamed other Celtic tribes to join her vengeful attrition. Even the Romans were taken aback at the ferocity of the sacking of Colchester, the new city of London and St Albans. Even the archaeological evidence is clear that virtually no stone was left atop another, the thick layer of reddened soot yells from the excavations.
Tacitus gives huge figures for the slaughter at each sacking and the final reckoning. Roman historians often exaggerate the opposition numbers but these are extraordinary. The anger in the collective Celts' was obvious in the atrocities committed, the ease with which valuable cities were lost and the virtual annihilation of the 9th Legion. The emperor was so concerned at the appalling losses, he is recorded as considering pulling out of the island altogether.
So, an interesting read, which tries to stick to the evidence, keeping speculation to the minimum, although putting her origins with Gallic tribes, long subjected to the impositions of Rome.
This short book on Boudicca, the Queen of the Iceni, is part of a series designed to encourage schoolchildren to read the histories of famous women. There is an extensive bibliography for further reading, which includes the source material for Boudicca as well as background for the tribes of Britain. Included are reference maps and a study guide to expend the child's understanding of the texts.
The difficulty of writing the story of such an iconic woman is the paucity of independent evidence for her life; even her origins and the circumstances of her death are uncertain. They say written history belongs to the victor, so we only have the story from the Roman side. The Celtic tribes of Briton left no written records. By the time the Saxon invaders were able to write their own history and that of the Britons before them, several hundred years later, Boudicca had been completely forgotten and fails to surface even in lore. It wasn't until the books of Tacitus were rediscovered during the Italian Renaissance, almost a millennium and a half after the event, that British scholars heard of this striking red-haired queen for the first time and began to write speculative stories about this heroic figure and scourge of the Roman occupying army. Even then, her name was often mistranslated. The nearest translation to her name is Victorious, so in time she became a symbol for the Victorians as a strong female and is now intrinsically woven into the fabric of British history and lore.
The Iceni were a peaceful but marginal people, who occupied the flat fertile plains of modern day Norfolk. Like the other Celts of Britain, they were invaders too, and had probably only occupied their land for six or seven generations before the Romans threatened their borders. Apparently they were a peaceful people who allied themselves with the Romans as soon at the Empire invaded these islands, rather than fight them. Rome usually allowed these vassal states autonomy until the present king died, following which the kingdom would be absorbed into the Empire. Roman women were considered second class citizens, no more than slaves, as they were through much of this island's history, under Romans, Anglo Saxons, Vikings and Normans alike, and were not allowed to own property. Therefore, when Boudicca's husband died, neither she nor her daughters would ever be allowed to inherit the crown under Roman law. Any resistance she put up was put down with immediate effect.
The abuse she received was paid back in kind a hundred-fold, as the Iceni inflamed other Celtic tribes to join her vengeful attrition. Even the Romans were taken aback at the ferocity of the sacking of Colchester, the new city of London and St Albans. Even the archaeological evidence is clear that virtually no stone was left atop another, the thick layer of reddened soot yells from the excavations.
Tacitus gives huge figures for the slaughter at each sacking and the final reckoning. Roman historians often exaggerate the opposition numbers but these are extraordinary. The anger in the collective Celts' was obvious in the atrocities committed, the ease with which valuable cities were lost and the virtual annihilation of the 9th Legion. The emperor was so concerned at the appalling losses, he is recorded as considering pulling out of the island altogether.
So, an interesting read, which tries to stick to the evidence, keeping speculation to the minimum, although putting her origins with Gallic tribes, long subjected to the impositions of Rome.
February 16, 2015
Moira, a young girl asks for her mother, Keita, to tell her a story. This book is about Boudicca who was queen of the Iceni, a Celtic tribe who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire. It's a quick read explaining brief moments in history. I obtained a copy of Boudicca: Britain's Queen of the Iceni by Laurel A. Rockefeller from a Smashwords coupon code at the end of last year.
I'm pretty disappointed with this book. Though it has the interesting premise of history, I felt that this retelling was poorly planned and written. Events flash forward extremely quickly and we are left with little explanation as to what happens in each scene or between the scenes. It even flashes forward months and years at a time with barely any mention as to what happens in the missing portions. The characters, despite being based on real people, are lame representations. They do not feel even slightly genuine. The conversation between characters is unbelievable as well, moreso because the author has tried to base it on current day talk. Also, some characters act completely against the traits the author has given them.
The document I have of this book has links to a website, though once I visit them I find that they're not availible. I think this is particularly impractical because the author seems to be using these links as some sort of reference material, though they fail to properly explain these portions in the book. Without the necessary information on the matter, the characters seem to be kind of meaningless and lack the proper explanation. The author gives us links (that don't work) and expects us to read into the material ourselves. It seems that even they don't respect these people or times, especially not enough to give decent explanation to their own writing. I find this to be quite a lazy approach to writing.
Overall, I'm disappointed. Having read into the basic history of these people afterward, I feel that it could have been such a great story. Yet, as I've said above, the story has been poorly planned and written.
I'm pretty disappointed with this book. Though it has the interesting premise of history, I felt that this retelling was poorly planned and written. Events flash forward extremely quickly and we are left with little explanation as to what happens in each scene or between the scenes. It even flashes forward months and years at a time with barely any mention as to what happens in the missing portions. The characters, despite being based on real people, are lame representations. They do not feel even slightly genuine. The conversation between characters is unbelievable as well, moreso because the author has tried to base it on current day talk. Also, some characters act completely against the traits the author has given them.
The document I have of this book has links to a website, though once I visit them I find that they're not availible. I think this is particularly impractical because the author seems to be using these links as some sort of reference material, though they fail to properly explain these portions in the book. Without the necessary information on the matter, the characters seem to be kind of meaningless and lack the proper explanation. The author gives us links (that don't work) and expects us to read into the material ourselves. It seems that even they don't respect these people or times, especially not enough to give decent explanation to their own writing. I find this to be quite a lazy approach to writing.
Overall, I'm disappointed. Having read into the basic history of these people afterward, I feel that it could have been such a great story. Yet, as I've said above, the story has been poorly planned and written.
May 26, 2015
Boudicca: Britain's Queen of the Iceni by Laurel A. Rockefeller is not only a history lesson, it is also a good narrative of true events. The story is told as a bedtime story, keeping alive the storytelling tradition of the Iceni. Boudicca was brave and lived when women were little more than property. However, she showed great courage when her people faced the Roman Legionnaires during their occupation in 43 A.D. She did everything in her power to keep the peace, but despite her best efforts to avoid war, it was inevitable. After the death of her husband the King, she rallied her people to defend themselves against the atrocities of the Romans.
I listened to the Audible version of this book, which I received in exchange for an honest review. Richard Mann narrated, who did a great job. He was very engaging and it was not difficult to picture myself being told a bedtime story about Boudicca, Queen of the Iceni.
I listened to the Audible version of this book, which I received in exchange for an honest review. Richard Mann narrated, who did a great job. He was very engaging and it was not difficult to picture myself being told a bedtime story about Boudicca, Queen of the Iceni.
March 6, 2016
Fortunately Laurel A Rockerfeller' s Women in History series does not need to be read in order as this is the fifth one I have read even though it is first in the series.
Boudicca is a legend. My own school history lessons did not even mention her, but now, from this short book, I have learned such a lot.
The author uses a type of story telling that imparts factual information without getting bogged down with irrelevancy. The reader finds out about the subject in an easy to digest manner.
Anyone who then wants to study the subject further can do so making use of the references provided - reading an e-book version allows links to be opened immediately.
This is a very enjoyable book from a very good series which would suit use at home or in a school setting.
Boudicca is a legend. My own school history lessons did not even mention her, but now, from this short book, I have learned such a lot.
The author uses a type of story telling that imparts factual information without getting bogged down with irrelevancy. The reader finds out about the subject in an easy to digest manner.
Anyone who then wants to study the subject further can do so making use of the references provided - reading an e-book version allows links to be opened immediately.
This is a very enjoyable book from a very good series which would suit use at home or in a school setting.
July 23, 2014
I was given a copy of this book by the author for a fair review, The was an interesting short story about Boudicca, she was a fascinating character, but I wish the story was longer and gave more insights into her background and her story, as well as the story of her husband and her daughters.
August 6, 2014
This book was an excellent read; both enjoyable and educational at the same time, it's a pleasant way to learn a little history, and well worth reading.
February 4, 2019
Too short and too simple. It's basically a paraphrase of the chapters in Histories by Roman historian Tacitus.
June 22, 2017
This is a story about a character in history I knew nothing about: Boudicca. The book gives an overview of her life and the uprising of her people against the Romans. Despite it's short length, I learned the general story of what happened and what life could have been like at that time. I learned that she led 80 000 people in that battle, which is a crazy amount to think about, especially for that time.
My critiques are pretty simple. I didn't feel like the book was long enough. Yes, I got the story and the facts, but I would have liked to seen more character development and smoother transitions between plot points. I know it is very hard to generalize about a person from 2000 years ago, but as a story I would have liked to see more creative freedom. However, I do appreciate all the research that went into the story and it has inspired me to learn more on my own about this character in history. I heard from another reviewer that it would make for a fantastic play - I agree. The visuals like facial expressions and body language that lacked in the book would have really enhanced the story on stage.
My favourite part about this book was discovering someone in history I had no idea existed, and that she was a Queen of a people (Iceni) that I knew nothing about. British history was not taught to me in school, instead it was the creation of Canada. At the end of the book is a suggested readings list which is fantastic. It is a wealth of information that you can find easily online. So I like to think of this book as an introduction to a historical character, which inspires me to learn more on my own time. For this reason, I think it would be suitable to have in schools. It is relatively short, to the point, thoroughly researched, and offers many discussion topics ranging from women's rights, politics, war, daily life, social class, and much more. I think a classroom setting would really benefit from a book like this.
PS Did you know some barnacles are edible? I had no idea!
* note: it is or has been made into a drama series! Wonderful! (less)
My critiques are pretty simple. I didn't feel like the book was long enough. Yes, I got the story and the facts, but I would have liked to seen more character development and smoother transitions between plot points. I know it is very hard to generalize about a person from 2000 years ago, but as a story I would have liked to see more creative freedom. However, I do appreciate all the research that went into the story and it has inspired me to learn more on my own about this character in history. I heard from another reviewer that it would make for a fantastic play - I agree. The visuals like facial expressions and body language that lacked in the book would have really enhanced the story on stage.
My favourite part about this book was discovering someone in history I had no idea existed, and that she was a Queen of a people (Iceni) that I knew nothing about. British history was not taught to me in school, instead it was the creation of Canada. At the end of the book is a suggested readings list which is fantastic. It is a wealth of information that you can find easily online. So I like to think of this book as an introduction to a historical character, which inspires me to learn more on my own time. For this reason, I think it would be suitable to have in schools. It is relatively short, to the point, thoroughly researched, and offers many discussion topics ranging from women's rights, politics, war, daily life, social class, and much more. I think a classroom setting would really benefit from a book like this.
PS Did you know some barnacles are edible? I had no idea!
* note: it is or has been made into a drama series! Wonderful! (less)
March 7, 2018
Excerpt: This book is based on events in the life of Boudicca, Queen of the Iceni and constructed using primary and secondary historical sources, commentary, and research. It is told through the lens of a mother and daughter of the Dobunni tribe in the 5th century of Common Era in what became the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia in south central and south western England.
I have always been fascinated with history, namely the history in Europe, and am truly ecstatic that I am a part of this Women in History Book Tour in which I received the whole series by author Laurel A. Rockefeller.
Boudicca, of the royal line of the Aedui near the Seine, was enslaved by a Roman mistress who beat her until she had had enough and crossed the strait to Dover into Britannia for a better life. She chanced upon Prasutagus, king of the Iceni, who immediately took a liking to her prior to his meeting with the Romans to form a bargain and two months later they were married.
Fast forward nine years to when they twin daughters were eight and the fruits of Boudicca's distrust towards the Romans came to fruition when the Governor, Gaius, brought to light his dislike and disgust of the British.
Two years later when the twin daughters, Alys and Morgan, were ten, the Romans made their strike killing King Prasutagus then destroying not only their village, but their "innocence" as well in front of Queen Boudicca. The Queen of the Iceni was left to rot and die while her daughters were taken prisoner enraging Boudicca. Keeping her focus, she rose armies which freed her daughters and slaughtered the Romans until the final trap against her was set. Rather than allow the Romans to enslave them or worse, she chose an alternative path.
For that, you must read more about this Queen who fought against the Roman onslaught of what is now England.
I have always been fascinated with history, namely the history in Europe, and am truly ecstatic that I am a part of this Women in History Book Tour in which I received the whole series by author Laurel A. Rockefeller.
Boudicca, of the royal line of the Aedui near the Seine, was enslaved by a Roman mistress who beat her until she had had enough and crossed the strait to Dover into Britannia for a better life. She chanced upon Prasutagus, king of the Iceni, who immediately took a liking to her prior to his meeting with the Romans to form a bargain and two months later they were married.
Fast forward nine years to when they twin daughters were eight and the fruits of Boudicca's distrust towards the Romans came to fruition when the Governor, Gaius, brought to light his dislike and disgust of the British.
Two years later when the twin daughters, Alys and Morgan, were ten, the Romans made their strike killing King Prasutagus then destroying not only their village, but their "innocence" as well in front of Queen Boudicca. The Queen of the Iceni was left to rot and die while her daughters were taken prisoner enraging Boudicca. Keeping her focus, she rose armies which freed her daughters and slaughtered the Romans until the final trap against her was set. Rather than allow the Romans to enslave them or worse, she chose an alternative path.
For that, you must read more about this Queen who fought against the Roman onslaught of what is now England.
June 28, 2024
A fun blend of fact and an imaginative writing style…
The first book in Laurel Rockefeller’s ‘Legendary Women of World History Series’ follows the Queen of the Iceni Boudicca with a fun blend of fact and an imaginative writing style. We are first introduced to the title character after she escapes the Romans and this book provides a lesser seen view of the woman who rose to leadership and then eventually challenged the forces who claimed to own her.
As the subject matter is from a time long gone, Rockefeller does a great job at filling in the blanks with dialogue that informs readers while also telling an entertaining story about Britain’s history. There’s a good blend of known facts and style to deliver it here and having only briefly studied this portion of history some years ago at school I am happy to say I learned quite a lot during the reading experience. Just how did Boudicca earn the namesake of ‘Killer Queen’? You’ll find out here along with some insightful elements of history that provide a perhaps different but also interesting view.
‘No – no you do not seem the type. You would rather suffer than lose your honor. You truly are of royal blood…’
The first book in Laurel Rockefeller’s ‘Legendary Women of World History Series’ follows the Queen of the Iceni Boudicca with a fun blend of fact and an imaginative writing style. We are first introduced to the title character after she escapes the Romans and this book provides a lesser seen view of the woman who rose to leadership and then eventually challenged the forces who claimed to own her.
As the subject matter is from a time long gone, Rockefeller does a great job at filling in the blanks with dialogue that informs readers while also telling an entertaining story about Britain’s history. There’s a good blend of known facts and style to deliver it here and having only briefly studied this portion of history some years ago at school I am happy to say I learned quite a lot during the reading experience. Just how did Boudicca earn the namesake of ‘Killer Queen’? You’ll find out here along with some insightful elements of history that provide a perhaps different but also interesting view.
‘No – no you do not seem the type. You would rather suffer than lose your honor. You truly are of royal blood…’
April 3, 2020
This short read is appropriate for middle-grade and young adult audiences as well as adult readers. It combines several genres, a bit of romance, a biography, and a history of ancient Rome and Britain.
Boudicca is a descendant of the Aedui tribe of Gaul and a runaway slave from the Romans. Through chance, she meets and falls in love with Prasutagus, The King of the Iceni tribe in Britain. They marry and begin a family. Prasutagus tries to make peace with Rome by promising half of his kingdom at his death, but the Romans soon back out on this promise. When the Roman ninth legion comes to conquer, Boudicca displays her leadership and courage. She will suffer and be enslaved once more but refuses to give up.
Read the story of her determination and grit as she refuses to acknowledge the Roman beliefs that she is merely a slave, a barbarian, and as a woman, an inferior creature.
The plot moves quickly, many will want more detail, but the characters are intriguing, and the history carefully researched. Recommended as an interesting addition to the study of ancient Rome.
Boudicca is a descendant of the Aedui tribe of Gaul and a runaway slave from the Romans. Through chance, she meets and falls in love with Prasutagus, The King of the Iceni tribe in Britain. They marry and begin a family. Prasutagus tries to make peace with Rome by promising half of his kingdom at his death, but the Romans soon back out on this promise. When the Roman ninth legion comes to conquer, Boudicca displays her leadership and courage. She will suffer and be enslaved once more but refuses to give up.
Read the story of her determination and grit as she refuses to acknowledge the Roman beliefs that she is merely a slave, a barbarian, and as a woman, an inferior creature.
The plot moves quickly, many will want more detail, but the characters are intriguing, and the history carefully researched. Recommended as an interesting addition to the study of ancient Rome.
April 28, 2023
This book is a history lesson in the early history of Britain and basically for children and teens in that country. I had heard of the fierce warrior queen Boudicca, but wanted to learn a bit more about her bravery against the Roman invaders. This did the trick. I enjoyed it as it gave a history lesson in an interesting manner. I highly recommend it to those who want to learn more about this time in a short, concise, story or who have youngster who like history. ***This was an audio book I listen to. There is a male narrator who gives voice to the story****
November 11, 2021
Short audio simple history retold as a story retold. Richard Mann made the characters come alive even if the author didn’t. The author’s story development was somewhat two dimensional, despite being a thrilling and dynamic account. We listened to learn material for a writing project and yes, we learned the details needed to continue researching.
Short, quick, and ok for middle school listeners.
Short, quick, and ok for middle school listeners.
March 5, 2020
Boudicca
I chose this book thinking I could learn more of Boudicca. Very disappointed. Many pages of text were missing,it would have been a great read, if pages were not missin
missing!
I chose this book thinking I could learn more of Boudicca. Very disappointed. Many pages of text were missing,it would have been a great read, if pages were not missin
missing!
December 27, 2018
Wish it were longer and more in-depth but it was an easy fast read that hit all the high and low points of Boudicca's short but intense life. I will read Ms. Rockefeller's other works for sure.
April 20, 2019
his is such a great story. So full of life, inspiration, will, and courage. Honestly, I may have never come across it on my own. It is truly motivational. A true heroic story. I love this story, mainly because it shows that women are just as strong if not stronger than a man. This story allows the eyes of all to be opened to see that not only did men have a huge impact on history, but so did women. Plus, the ending of the book is truly beautiful!
The Prologue reminds me a lot of all of the things I learned about the Romans in my Humanities class. Romans were so greedy and out to conquer anything they could. They were ready to start a war with anyone for land. This book starts off with the fact that the Dobunni people stood still to stay alive, especially since they didn’t like the act of war.
I love that this is a true story and it’s not just told by a narrator, it’s told by actual people but in story form. It blows my mind with all the facts that happened and what these people did to try to protect their people. It blows my mind more so on who decided to enslave their own people. True royalty would never sell out their people to protect themselves or create a better life for just their self. When someone with that much authority betrays their own people, they should be forced to pay a very high price.
The fate of Boudicca and how she comes into luck is truly wonderful. Spotted by the King of Iceni and later becoming his queen. The story shows how sometimes relying on your gut to determine your future is exactly what one must do. Though, the King’s determined allies are Boudicca’s enemies, the Romans. The King wants peace and so does Boudicca, but they have different visions on how peace should be made. The King’s decision on trying to make the Roman’s an ally doesn’t go as he had planned. Inevitably, his decisions end up causing him to lose his life. The fate of Iceni rests on its people, who need to find a way to undo what the King had done before his death.
So much honor. So much strength. Queen Boudicca has so much heart. She’s willing to risk everything to save her people, herself, and the future of Iceni. I wish the people of today all had the kind of strength Boudicca had. She goes in fighting and refuses to leave until her death has come or she has become victorious.
What stinks is that this fight would have never happened if women were treated equally. If women didn’t get treated like their life had lesser value than that of a slave, Queen Boudicca wouldn’t have needed to fight the way she did. It could have gone differently. Roman’s believed to be superior to everyone else. They believed that everyone needed to be ruled by them and fall slave to their ways, especially women. Women shouldn’t have the authority or a life outside of catering to a man. The Roman's believed women were not fully human, only man. This story proves that this is not true at all. It should have never been considered in the first place.
If you’ve never read about Boudicca, now is your chance to see a true warrior. Learn about all that she went through, all that she faced, and how she handled it. If you already know the story of Boudicca, this book shines light and beauty on such a bad situation. It’s definitely worth the read, no matter how much you may or may not know about Boudicca.
The Prologue reminds me a lot of all of the things I learned about the Romans in my Humanities class. Romans were so greedy and out to conquer anything they could. They were ready to start a war with anyone for land. This book starts off with the fact that the Dobunni people stood still to stay alive, especially since they didn’t like the act of war.
I love that this is a true story and it’s not just told by a narrator, it’s told by actual people but in story form. It blows my mind with all the facts that happened and what these people did to try to protect their people. It blows my mind more so on who decided to enslave their own people. True royalty would never sell out their people to protect themselves or create a better life for just their self. When someone with that much authority betrays their own people, they should be forced to pay a very high price.
The fate of Boudicca and how she comes into luck is truly wonderful. Spotted by the King of Iceni and later becoming his queen. The story shows how sometimes relying on your gut to determine your future is exactly what one must do. Though, the King’s determined allies are Boudicca’s enemies, the Romans. The King wants peace and so does Boudicca, but they have different visions on how peace should be made. The King’s decision on trying to make the Roman’s an ally doesn’t go as he had planned. Inevitably, his decisions end up causing him to lose his life. The fate of Iceni rests on its people, who need to find a way to undo what the King had done before his death.
So much honor. So much strength. Queen Boudicca has so much heart. She’s willing to risk everything to save her people, herself, and the future of Iceni. I wish the people of today all had the kind of strength Boudicca had. She goes in fighting and refuses to leave until her death has come or she has become victorious.
What stinks is that this fight would have never happened if women were treated equally. If women didn’t get treated like their life had lesser value than that of a slave, Queen Boudicca wouldn’t have needed to fight the way she did. It could have gone differently. Roman’s believed to be superior to everyone else. They believed that everyone needed to be ruled by them and fall slave to their ways, especially women. Women shouldn’t have the authority or a life outside of catering to a man. The Roman's believed women were not fully human, only man. This story proves that this is not true at all. It should have never been considered in the first place.
If you’ve never read about Boudicca, now is your chance to see a true warrior. Learn about all that she went through, all that she faced, and how she handled it. If you already know the story of Boudicca, this book shines light and beauty on such a bad situation. It’s definitely worth the read, no matter how much you may or may not know about Boudicca.
June 7, 2015
Set in the 1st century ancient Britannia, Rome is still attempting to expand their empire. This short, creative non-fiction historical account follows King Prasutagus of the Iceni and runaway Gaulish slave Boudicca.
The author does a good job of making these characters accessible to the reader by showing the story through their eyes. Events do move rather quickly as decades of their lives are covered in a mere 50 minutes. Luckily, I was able to connect with the characters quickly because of the first person point of view.
I found this an interesting, quick overview of Boudicca’s life during Roman conquest. The listener gets the clear idea of the culture clash between Romans and the various Britannic tribes. For instance, most, or perhaps all, of the Brittanic tribes held women as equal to men in most areas of life whereas the Romans felt a woman’s place was in the home or as a slave. The timeline had to move swiftly for most of Boudicca’s life to be covered in such a short amount of story time. I think this book would be of interest to those just getting into the historical fiction genre or for folks wanting a short recounting of Boudicca’s life and deeds. If you are looking for a history (not fiction) or a more in-depth historical fiction, this may not be for you. The author doesn’t steer clear of the harsher side of Boudicca’s life: slavery, battles, rape, etc. are included in this historical fiction, though the author does not go into graphic detail.
The book left me wanting more. Often drama was used, and perhaps over used, to get the poignant parts of Boudicca’s life across to the listener. I think this work would have been a little better if even 2 hours were given in which to tell Boudicca’s tale. For instance, the ending was pretty dramatic (if historically accurate) but I didn’t really understand Boudicca’s choice at the end as she fought her whole life to stay alive and free. Also, I wanted to know how her kinsman, loyal followers, etc. reacted on a personal level to her final choice.
The Narration: Richard Mann has a very nice voice. He put it to good use for the male characters. However, since much of the story is told through Boudicca’s eyes, I wonder why a female narrator wasn’t used. Mann had a distinct voice for Boudicca, though it could have used a touch more femininity to it.
The author does a good job of making these characters accessible to the reader by showing the story through their eyes. Events do move rather quickly as decades of their lives are covered in a mere 50 minutes. Luckily, I was able to connect with the characters quickly because of the first person point of view.
I found this an interesting, quick overview of Boudicca’s life during Roman conquest. The listener gets the clear idea of the culture clash between Romans and the various Britannic tribes. For instance, most, or perhaps all, of the Brittanic tribes held women as equal to men in most areas of life whereas the Romans felt a woman’s place was in the home or as a slave. The timeline had to move swiftly for most of Boudicca’s life to be covered in such a short amount of story time. I think this book would be of interest to those just getting into the historical fiction genre or for folks wanting a short recounting of Boudicca’s life and deeds. If you are looking for a history (not fiction) or a more in-depth historical fiction, this may not be for you. The author doesn’t steer clear of the harsher side of Boudicca’s life: slavery, battles, rape, etc. are included in this historical fiction, though the author does not go into graphic detail.
The book left me wanting more. Often drama was used, and perhaps over used, to get the poignant parts of Boudicca’s life across to the listener. I think this work would have been a little better if even 2 hours were given in which to tell Boudicca’s tale. For instance, the ending was pretty dramatic (if historically accurate) but I didn’t really understand Boudicca’s choice at the end as she fought her whole life to stay alive and free. Also, I wanted to know how her kinsman, loyal followers, etc. reacted on a personal level to her final choice.
The Narration: Richard Mann has a very nice voice. He put it to good use for the male characters. However, since much of the story is told through Boudicca’s eyes, I wonder why a female narrator wasn’t used. Mann had a distinct voice for Boudicca, though it could have used a touch more femininity to it.
June 15, 2017
This is a story about a character in history I knew nothing about: Boudicca. The book gives an overview of her life and the uprising of her people against the Romans. Despite it's short length, I learned the general story of what happened and what life could have been like at that time. I learned that she led 80 000 people in that battle, which is a crazy amount to think about, especially for that time.
My critiques are pretty simple. I didn't feel like the book was long enough. Yes, I got the story and the facts, but I would have liked to seen more character development and smoother transitions between plot points. I know it is very hard to generalize about a person from 2000 years ago, but as a story I would have liked to see more creative freedom. However, I do appreciate all the research that went into the story and it has inspired me to learn more on my own about this character in history. I heard from another reviewer that it would make for a fantastic play - I agree. The visuals like facial expressions and body language that lacked in the book would have really enhanced the story on stage.
My favourite part about this book was discovering someone in history I had no idea existed, and that she was a Queen of a people (Iceni) that I knew nothing about. British history was not taught to me in school, instead it was the creation of Canada. At the end of the book is a suggested readings list which is fantastic. It is a wealth of information that you can find easily online. So I like to think of this book as an introduction to a historical character, which inspires me to learn more on my own time. For this reason, I think it would be suitable to have in schools. It is relatively short, to the point, thoroughly researched, and offers many discussion topics ranging from women's rights, politics, war, daily life, social class, and much more. I think a classroom setting would really benefit from a book like this.
PS Did you know some barnacles are edible? I had no idea!
* note: it is or has been made into a drama series! Wonderful!
My critiques are pretty simple. I didn't feel like the book was long enough. Yes, I got the story and the facts, but I would have liked to seen more character development and smoother transitions between plot points. I know it is very hard to generalize about a person from 2000 years ago, but as a story I would have liked to see more creative freedom. However, I do appreciate all the research that went into the story and it has inspired me to learn more on my own about this character in history. I heard from another reviewer that it would make for a fantastic play - I agree. The visuals like facial expressions and body language that lacked in the book would have really enhanced the story on stage.
My favourite part about this book was discovering someone in history I had no idea existed, and that she was a Queen of a people (Iceni) that I knew nothing about. British history was not taught to me in school, instead it was the creation of Canada. At the end of the book is a suggested readings list which is fantastic. It is a wealth of information that you can find easily online. So I like to think of this book as an introduction to a historical character, which inspires me to learn more on my own time. For this reason, I think it would be suitable to have in schools. It is relatively short, to the point, thoroughly researched, and offers many discussion topics ranging from women's rights, politics, war, daily life, social class, and much more. I think a classroom setting would really benefit from a book like this.
PS Did you know some barnacles are edible? I had no idea!
* note: it is or has been made into a drama series! Wonderful!
July 17, 2015
This book was given to me for free by the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or my review in any way.
My very first audiobook! I was a bit nervous about this at first, but it turns out they're not so bad.
I'd like to start by telling you about the narration. Richard Mann narrates this book, and he does such a brilliant job! It's clear and well-spoken. Above all, the differences between this and Kindles' Text-to-Speech feature is clear. Kindles' text-to-speech feature is very monotone, Manns' narration isn't. When someone speaks his voice changes. Fear shows, excitement shows - it's fantastic! In fact, this aspect of the audiobook was one of my favourites. I'm not used to it so it really had my emotions going in places.
The actual story of Boudicca was amazing. It's written like a bedtime tale so it's easy to understand for people of all ages, I think children as well as adults would like this book. The way it's written really makes Boudicca's journey easy to follow. Usually biographies are heavy going and this puts a lot of people off, but that isn't an issue with this one.
I found this book very informative, I learned a lot about Boudicca. I actually learnt more about her life than I previously did which was really nice. I think part of me was scared that because it's a short book/audiobook, there wouldn't be a lot to learn, but that just isn't true.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in Boudicca. She's a very inspirational historical figure in British history, I think Rockefeller really does her justice in this book. I'm really glad I listened to this audiobook because I love learning new facts and the way this book is delivered is quite unique. This book is suitable for people of every age, I highly recommend it.
For more of my reviews, please visit my book blog: http://www.anovelstart.com
My very first audiobook! I was a bit nervous about this at first, but it turns out they're not so bad.
I'd like to start by telling you about the narration. Richard Mann narrates this book, and he does such a brilliant job! It's clear and well-spoken. Above all, the differences between this and Kindles' Text-to-Speech feature is clear. Kindles' text-to-speech feature is very monotone, Manns' narration isn't. When someone speaks his voice changes. Fear shows, excitement shows - it's fantastic! In fact, this aspect of the audiobook was one of my favourites. I'm not used to it so it really had my emotions going in places.
The actual story of Boudicca was amazing. It's written like a bedtime tale so it's easy to understand for people of all ages, I think children as well as adults would like this book. The way it's written really makes Boudicca's journey easy to follow. Usually biographies are heavy going and this puts a lot of people off, but that isn't an issue with this one.
I found this book very informative, I learned a lot about Boudicca. I actually learnt more about her life than I previously did which was really nice. I think part of me was scared that because it's a short book/audiobook, there wouldn't be a lot to learn, but that just isn't true.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in Boudicca. She's a very inspirational historical figure in British history, I think Rockefeller really does her justice in this book. I'm really glad I listened to this audiobook because I love learning new facts and the way this book is delivered is quite unique. This book is suitable for people of every age, I highly recommend it.
For more of my reviews, please visit my book blog: http://www.anovelstart.com
March 22, 2015
I don’t know much about Boudicca. I’ve heard about this fearsome Iceni Queen and the fighting between the Romans and her tribe. As a lover of Ancient History, I couldn’t wait to read this novel and to learn more about her.
First, I didn’t know that she was an Aedui. I’ve never heard this word before. There were also small things like rituals and customs that I found personally interesting and I really wanted to know more.
It’s hard to recreate a time period. Conversations are different, some words we use today weren’t in use during that time. I applaud the author for attempting this difficult task.
Also, I understand that during this time the Romans weren’t all that great. Throughout this short book, I felt that the author was a tad bit bias towards them. Yes, this story is told from the point of view of the oppressed however, I just wanted one small moment when the Romans weren’t described as liars and untrustworthy people.
As for the writing itself, sometimes I felt that the narration moved from a retelling of an important historical time to an Ancient World History class (not saying this is a bad thing.) There were a few POV changes and a time when I didn’t know who was telling the story. This wasn’t enough to deter me from the book.
Time moved quickly. The book is pretty short and I do think it’d benefit more if it was longer. But I wondered if what historians currently know about Boudicca is suffice enough for a longer novel?
Overall, I really enjoyed this. I love History (I’m currently obtaining my teacher certification in World History) so this was different and an eye opener for me.
First, I didn’t know that she was an Aedui. I’ve never heard this word before. There were also small things like rituals and customs that I found personally interesting and I really wanted to know more.
It’s hard to recreate a time period. Conversations are different, some words we use today weren’t in use during that time. I applaud the author for attempting this difficult task.
Also, I understand that during this time the Romans weren’t all that great. Throughout this short book, I felt that the author was a tad bit bias towards them. Yes, this story is told from the point of view of the oppressed however, I just wanted one small moment when the Romans weren’t described as liars and untrustworthy people.
As for the writing itself, sometimes I felt that the narration moved from a retelling of an important historical time to an Ancient World History class (not saying this is a bad thing.) There were a few POV changes and a time when I didn’t know who was telling the story. This wasn’t enough to deter me from the book.
Time moved quickly. The book is pretty short and I do think it’d benefit more if it was longer. But I wondered if what historians currently know about Boudicca is suffice enough for a longer novel?
Overall, I really enjoyed this. I love History (I’m currently obtaining my teacher certification in World History) so this was different and an eye opener for me.
September 21, 2014
The author, Laurel A. Rockefeller, gave me a copy of this book in exchange for my review.
Boudicca, Britain's Queen of the Iceni is very much a story with an aim to educate as well as entertain. The framework of the tale is that it’s a story told to a child. The storyteller this time is her mother and the goal is to serve as an empowering tale. Things get tough but women, frequently marginalized in our recorded past, can too change the course of history.
Rockefeller doesn’t sugarcoat the history in Boudicca, Britain's Queen of the Iceni for young readers. She is delicate and doesn’t go into graphic detail but abuse, rape and potential sexual slavery is mentioned. It is difficult for young women to comprehend the way that Boudicca and her twin daughters were perceived.
Twelve-year-old Alex and I read this novel together and she found the dynamic fascinating. Boudicca’s tale once again confirmed her delight at being born in the 21st Century. From the time we meet Boudicca as she’s running from an abusive mistress, the level of courage she showed in Rockefeller’s well-composed narrative appealed to the young Alex and she enters a phase in her life where she’ll embrace a growing independence.
I really enjoy Laurel Rockefeller’s work and believe that she’ll be responsible for introducing many young women to historical figures they will admire.
Boudicca, Britain's Queen of the Iceni is very much a story with an aim to educate as well as entertain. The framework of the tale is that it’s a story told to a child. The storyteller this time is her mother and the goal is to serve as an empowering tale. Things get tough but women, frequently marginalized in our recorded past, can too change the course of history.
Rockefeller doesn’t sugarcoat the history in Boudicca, Britain's Queen of the Iceni for young readers. She is delicate and doesn’t go into graphic detail but abuse, rape and potential sexual slavery is mentioned. It is difficult for young women to comprehend the way that Boudicca and her twin daughters were perceived.
Twelve-year-old Alex and I read this novel together and she found the dynamic fascinating. Boudicca’s tale once again confirmed her delight at being born in the 21st Century. From the time we meet Boudicca as she’s running from an abusive mistress, the level of courage she showed in Rockefeller’s well-composed narrative appealed to the young Alex and she enters a phase in her life where she’ll embrace a growing independence.
I really enjoy Laurel Rockefeller’s work and believe that she’ll be responsible for introducing many young women to historical figures they will admire.
May 22, 2015
" BOUDICCA: Beautiful, Dramatic, a Must Listen"
I feel that "Boudicca: Britain's Queen of the Iceni" was an important book and a wonderful listen. She was a real living woman in history. She had ran away from the Aedui tribe where she had royal heritage and by chance met King Prasutagus. They married and had two daughters. Prasutagus wants to ally with the Romans for their weapons and power. Queen Boudicca doesn't want this.
The ending is quite dramatic but important. She and her daughters drink mead and this becomes their demise however, within the epilogue is an exactly perfect explanation.
This story is an absolute gem. For being a short listen, it's very well-written and wonderfully narrated. Laurel A. Rockefeller knows her history and is an excellent writer. I loved this book and look forward to more from The "Legendary Women of World History."
I thought Richard Mann was the perfect narrator for this piece. He has exact voice inflections and he fits in with the period. I can't imagine anyone else narrating this. He's a natural.
Audiobook received in exchange for an honest review.
I feel that "Boudicca: Britain's Queen of the Iceni" was an important book and a wonderful listen. She was a real living woman in history. She had ran away from the Aedui tribe where she had royal heritage and by chance met King Prasutagus. They married and had two daughters. Prasutagus wants to ally with the Romans for their weapons and power. Queen Boudicca doesn't want this.
The ending is quite dramatic but important. She and her daughters drink mead and this becomes their demise however, within the epilogue is an exactly perfect explanation.
This story is an absolute gem. For being a short listen, it's very well-written and wonderfully narrated. Laurel A. Rockefeller knows her history and is an excellent writer. I loved this book and look forward to more from The "Legendary Women of World History."
I thought Richard Mann was the perfect narrator for this piece. He has exact voice inflections and he fits in with the period. I can't imagine anyone else narrating this. He's a natural.
Audiobook received in exchange for an honest review.
November 29, 2015
History? Great. Fiction? Mediocre. A story told to Moira by her mother Keita generations after Queen Boudicca and the Iceni fought the Roman conquerors, trying to preserve their culture, their religion, and their sovereignty over the East Anglian region of what is now England. Boudicca had come to England an escaped Celt from Gaul when she meets the King of the Iceni, Prasutagus, who marries her and fathers two daughters with her before the Romans move to take over the Celtic kingdom completely. Boudicca’s Celtic culture would make many modern men and women proud to live within its tolerant confines. The story is clear on historical facts, a little heavy on political posture, and thin on character development, where the narrator tells us what to think of people and events, rather than showing them to us and trusting us to draw our own conclusions. Compare this book to Pauline Gedge's The Eagle and the Raven. You'll see what I mean.
September 1, 2015
Like any self-respecting female history nerd, I was aware of Boudicca before I read this book (whenever I hear 'Boudicca', I think 'Badass'). Any time women are able to carve out a place for themselves in history in our male-dominated society, that's a win IMO. I was not aware of how exactly she came to be known as the 'killer queen'. Of course now I am delighted by the possibility that Freddie Mercury and his bandmates were/are history nerds as well! That's the great thing about brief, easily digestible books like this one. You never know what fascinating little tidbit you will be able to add to your private store of history lore. If you have reluctant historians in the household, they may enjoy this fictionalized account moreso than a dry recitation of facts.
December 2, 2015
Original Post: http://booknauthors.blogspot.com/2015...
The cover needs some desperate work. I really wanted the design of the book eye-catching. As this story was short plus related to history, illustration would have been amazing. It would have looked pretty.
So the plot was very nice. I read this book real quick. You really feel the 'Feels' of this book, the way the author has written is so heart wrenching. This book will tear your heart open. It is just so...sad. Laurel writes about how Boudicca stood boldly for her people despite being a woman.
The cover needs some desperate work. I really wanted the design of the book eye-catching. As this story was short plus related to history, illustration would have been amazing. It would have looked pretty.
So the plot was very nice. I read this book real quick. You really feel the 'Feels' of this book, the way the author has written is so heart wrenching. This book will tear your heart open. It is just so...sad. Laurel writes about how Boudicca stood boldly for her people despite being a woman.
February 3, 2016
Boudicca, A story in history of how a slave marries a king and attempts to take her people to freedom, via a battle of death. This is a short novella. This story is well written. What I liked about this history lesson is it is told like an actual story, with different voices.
The author, Laurel A Rockefeller did a good job on this short story. I found it to be quite entertaining. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. The narrator, Richard Mann did a good job on the narrations too! He delivered this story to us flawlessly and pronounced names I could never pronounce!
The author, Laurel A Rockefeller did a good job on this short story. I found it to be quite entertaining. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. The narrator, Richard Mann did a good job on the narrations too! He delivered this story to us flawlessly and pronounced names I could never pronounce!
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